Maritime Arm Injuries

Injuries to the arms are common in maritime jobs. Maritime work can be dangerous for many reasons, and accidents can lead to arm fractures, lacerations, and other injuries. If you suffered an arm injury on the job in the maritime industry, contact a lawyer to find out how you can seek compensation.

How Does Maritime Work Lead to Arm Injuries?

All maritime work is dangerous and can easily lead to accidents and injuries. This includes work on ships, in shipyards and ports, and on offshore installations. Studies of accidents in maritime settings list multiple reports of arm injuries. Galley and deck workers reported the most arm injuries.

Maritime workers handle cargo and equipment that can strike or cut them. Equipment can also cause crush injuries or trap hands or arms, causing serious injuries or even loss of a limb. Fires on ships can lead to burns on arms or other parts of the body. Chemicals used in the industry can also cause exposure injuries.

Workers on vessels at sea face risks associated with weather and rough waters, which can lead to falls and strikes that cause injuries. In the galley, workers are at risk of cuts when handling knives and other equipment. Performing repetitive tasks puts workers at risk for repetitive stress injuries in the joints.

Types of Arm Injuries in Maritime Workers

Workers in any type of maritime job may suffer arm injuries after being involved in an accident or as a result of the routine work they do every day. Some of the common types of arm injuries seen in the maritime industry include:

• Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains
• Bone fractures
• Elbow and shoulder dislocations
• Lacerations
• Deep bruising
• Crush injuries
• Lost limbs and amputations
• Repetitive stress injuries, including tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendinitis

Arm injuries aren’t typically fatal, but in rare cases, extreme blood loss and lack of access to immediate medical care could result in a fatality. Arm injuries can lead to the inability to work. Serious injuries might prevent a maritime worker from continuing their normal job in the industry.

Preventable Causes of Maritime Arm Injuries

Hazards are inherent in the maritime industry. In some cases, accidents are difficult or impossible to predict or prevent. Too often, though, these accidents that cause arm injuries could and should have been prevented. Some preventable causes of arm injuries in maritime work include:

• Inadequate training for specific jobs or using certain types of equipment
• Poorly maintained or faulty equipment
• Lack of safety training, protocol, or equipment
• Failure to follow safety protocol or use protective gear
• Poor communication between workers
• Poorly maintained stairs, ladders, and gangways
• Cluttered or slippery decks that cause slips, trips, and falls
• Poorly secured cargo that moves and strikes or crushes workers
• Inadequate break time or lack of ergonomic equipment to prevent repetitive stress injuries

Offshore Accident Leads to Arm Amputation

One tragic example of an arm injury in the maritime industry occurred at an offshore wind farm in the North Sea. An engineer was working inside the top of a wind turbine when the accident happened. He reached into a hole in the turbine brake disc to reach safety pins when it got stuck.

The turbine was still turning, cutting off his arm below the shoulder. The engineer was known for following safety protocols, but in this instance, he did not. He should not have been working alone in the turbine.

His company, Siemens Gamesa, was also negligent in the accident and ultimately paid the engineer damages. Other technicians failed to continue a safety chain that would have notified the engineer that the turbine was energized. Not having that information made the engineer decide it was safe to do the work.

What to Do if You Suffered an Arm Injury in a Maritime Job

The top priority after any maritime accident is to seek medical attention. In many cases, emergency medical care is required. The next step is to file an accident report or ensure the appropriate person responsible for the report does so.

If you were injured, make sure you have documentation. Ensure the accident report is detailed and accurate and that you get a copy of it. Keep copies of all the medical treatment you receive as a result of the accident.

Contact a maritime lawyer to discuss your legal options. Several maritime laws protect workers and provide means of seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earning potential, and more.

A maritime lawyer can explain your rights, determine which laws apply, and help you through the steps of making a claim or filing a lawsuit over negligence. They give you the best chance of recovering damages.